New Neighbors: George Billis Gallery to Main Street
Gallery owner George Billis, Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe, and Second Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker at Friday's ribbon cutting ceremony. As the arts in Westport continue to flourish through the pandemic, Westport has gained the George Billis Art Gallery at 166 Main Street, across from Rye Ridge Deli.
George Billis of the George Billis GalleryThe gallery was part of New York City’s Chelsea Art District for 24 years before their move to Westport this week. Billis, a Milford resident, wanted to find a space closer to home, saying “Westport was perfect.” He is excited to show the vibrant selection of curated art to residents and add more life to the end of the street that held several vacant storefronts.
Billis also has a gallery on the West Coast, in Los Angeles’ Culver City neighborhood.
The current Invitational Exhibition will feature over 30 national and international artists presenting painting, photography, sculpture and works on paper, and was organized by Art Essex which produces invitational shows. The Juror, Lisa Cooper is a gallerist and art consultant, known within the Fairfield County artist community and owner of Elisa Contemporary Art.
Lisa Cooper took great care in selecting the artists and art for the Invitational Exhibition. She states, “I am a strong believer in the power of Art to heal and transform us. During this unprecedented time, it was wonderful to see a range of art that allowed us to travel freely...bringing us to new spaces in nature and the countryside, as well as familiar city streets and scenes. I also rejoiced in the artworks filled with light, folly and humor that created an uplifting emotion. I am thankful for all the artists who shared their creative visions for this juried exhibit” (press release)
The George Billis Gallery can be visited online, or a by visiting the Main Street exhibition space.
Getting Home after the First “Week” of School
Although a snowstorm and a half-day cut the week by half, students in Westport returned home tonight after successfully completing their first week of full-in learning at local elementary and middle school. A
Sundown over Saugatuck River
Taken as the sunset over the Saugatuck last night as orange hues cut the blue skis and blue waters.
MoCA Celebrates Season with Winter Lights Festival February 27
Press ReleaseMoCA Westport and the Up | Next Teens organization invite the community to attend an experiential Winter Lights Festival at MoCA Westport (19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport) on Saturday, February 27th from 12 - 6 p.m.
The Festival will feature a Maker and Crafts space in a large airy outdoor tent including supplies and step-by-step instructions for families to work together to create winter-themed decorations. These decorations will be incorporated into a walk-through Light Path, which will be lit at sun down. The public is invited to view the experience through the following weekend.
Attendees will also experience live performances by local high school musicians, can purchase delicious food offerings from The Melt on-site truck, and enjoy complimentary hot cocoa from Sheila Barton Events.
The Festival also includes complimentary access to MoCA Westport’s exhibition, Hindsight is 2020, featuring close to 200 high school student artists from across the region.
Members of MoCA Westport’s Teen Council will be on site to share their artwork and unique goods available for purchase during the entirety of the afternoon.
Tickets for the event are now available for purchase on mocawestport.org for two-hour blocks of time. Tickets for MoCA Westport Members are $25/family or $10/individual; Non-Members can purchase tickets for $30 family/$15 individual.
MoCA Westport Executive Director Ruth Mannes stated, “We are so thrilled to work with the Up | Next Teens organization to share this event with our members and friends. We invite all new and familiar faces to MoCA Westport to enjoy this immersive experience combining the arts, music, food, and community.”
Addison Moore, the Up | Next founder added, “Everyone says that we are the future. But there is no future without a vision for success. Up | Next is excited to partner with MoCA Westport as we work hard to help local teens flex their muscles of new ideas, imagination and creativity. When it comes to innovative leadership, we’re up next.”
Up | Next is a student run organization designed to address three major goals, 1) Supporting a cause: that of helping feed those in need, 2) Educating teens: teaching youth how to invest in business, manage business, and be leaders in business, and 3) Providing support to youth to bring their project’s vision to fruition. To learn more about Up | Next, please contact the organization at UpNextMail1@gmail.com.
The event is also in partnership with the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
All State of Connecticut safety protocols will be explicitly followed, including wearing of face masks, social distancing, and timed visits.
In case of inclement weather, the rain date for the event will be Saturday, March 6th.
For more information on the Winter Lights Festival, please visit mocawestport.org or contact MoCA Westport at info@mocawestport.org or 203/222-7070.